Characters
Characters of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar:
Most of Caesar is learned from what other characters speak about him. In the beginning of the play the audience learns from Flavius and Murellus, Caesar is a roman general and senator, who recently returned from military campaign in Spain. "But indeed, sir, we make Holiday to see Caesar, and to rejoice in his triumph."[i]
It is through the conspirators we get a view of Caesar as an ambitious man who could be dangerous to the roman republic. The conspirator Cassius sense Caesar "Is now become a god,"[ii] When reading the play Caesar lines make him a beloved Roman statesman and husband.
Caesar who has his faults, he has dreams of ambition. "I am constant as the northern star, Of whose true fixed and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament."[iii] Caesar feels he will live on in history. Yet, after the conspirators murder Caesar, he lives up to his claim, he does live on forever in establishing the Roman Empire.
Brutus:
A Senator who believes Rome should be a republic. Brutus is "Vexed Iam of late with passions of some difference."[iv] On one hand he loves Caesar yet, he does not believe, a dictator should govern Rome. Brutus is a powerful public speaker, he is a man of honor, a philosopher, headstrong, and finally most importantly a patriot of Rome. This is why he becomes part of the conspiracy.
"It must be by his death. And for my Part I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general good He would be crowned how might that change his nature there≠s the question. It is a bright day that brings forth the adder, and the craves wary walking. Crown him: that! And then I grant we put a sting in him that at his will he may do no danger."[v] This is the problem that Brutus struggles with killing his friend Caesar more over for the greater good of Rome or worse for Rome.
Cassius:
Cassius is a senator who is power hungry and jealous of Caesar. He is a conspirator, he convinces Brutus to join the cause of rebellion. "In several hands in at his window throw, Writing, all tending to the great opinion that Rome holds of his name, Caesar's ambitions should be glanced at."[vi]
Cassius dislikes Caesar and believes Caesar thinks he has become larger than the Roman republic; therefore Caesar must die. He also believes its in the conspirators best interest to kill Antony.
Cassius a very cunning man could be considered the brains behond the conspiracy.
Antony:
A friend of Caesar, A senator, a skilled public orator, and opportunistic man, he is very politically astute. He believes himself to be a righter of wrongs a savoir to Rome, and avenger of Ceaser.
"If I were disposed to stir your heart and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong."[vii] In this statement Antony stirs the plebeians to join with him in disposing of the conspirators.
Octavius:
Caesar's appointed successor joins with Anthony to avenge Caesar's death. He is an authoritative figure like Caesar. At the end of the play he is part of ruling three.
South Sayer:
Warns Caesar to "Beware the Ides of March."[viii] Warning of his unavoidable death. Caesar though does not put much stock i n this warning.
Calpurnia:
Caesar's wife, Calpurnia is a great believer in omens, dreams and oracles. She warns Caesar of his inevitable death, on the Ides of March. Clapurnia has a dream of Caesar statute poring out blood. Yet, Caesar belief of being immortal allows him to go to the senate.
Portia:
Brutus's wife; She is constantly questioning her husband's silence. Usually Portia is a confident for Brutus, yet in the play Brutus is quite silent about the conspiracy. When the war between Brutus's forces and Antony's forces begins, Brutus gets word that Portia Killed herself by ingesting hot coals
Other Characters:
The other Conspirators,
Casca
He is a conspirator and a senator. Who plays an important role in the play for filling in crucial details of action that takes place off stage. Like Caesar refusal of the crown three times from Antony.
Decius Brutus
A Conspirator, who convinces Caesar to attended the Senate on the Ides of March. Even though Calpurnia says otherwise. Decius tells Caesar that Calprnia interprets her dream wrong and it will appear weak if Caesar would not go to the senate.
Metellus Cimber:
Cinna:
Caius Ligarius:
Trebounis:
Lepidus:
The third ruler after Caesar's death. He is a member of Antony's coalition to avenge Caesar's death.
Tribunes (Officials elected by the people to protect their rights.)
Flavius:
Flavius is a tribune, who condemns the plebeians, for their capricious cheering of Caesar's victories return to Rome. Flavius does not understand how the plebeians once cheered for Pompey. "And do you now put on your bet attire? And do you now cull out a holiday? And do you now strew flawers in his way that comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? Be gone!"[ix] Later Flavius is punished for removing decorations from Caesar's statue during the festival.
Murellus:
Like Flavius, he is a tribune who condemns the plebians for their fickleness in praising Caesar. He is also put to death for removing decorations from Caesar's statue.
Plebeians:
A Fickle mob who cheers for whoever is the better orator, and who is in power.
Originally you find from Flavius and Murellus, how they once cheered for Pompey before Caesar. They cheer for Caesar when he denies the crown from Antony. Later the plebeians cheer for Brutus, than switch to Antony side. The plebeians are an easily controlled mob that switches allegiance often throughout the play.
Created by Jeffrey Geller
[ix] (1.2 47-51)
Text Consulted
The Norton Shakespeare, based on the Oxford edition Ó 1997
Comment On This Page
|
